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Norma C. Donaldson (August 18, 1928 – November 22, 1994) was an American actress and singer. Perhaps she is best known for her roles as Miss Adelaide in the 1976 revival of Guys and Dolls; Lillie Belle Barber on the CBS television soap operaThe Young and the Restless, in which she played from 1990 until she died in 1994.
Donaldson was born Norma C. Donaldson in the Harlem section of New York City. Her parents were Laura, a housekeeper, and Fredrick Donaldson (b. 1906; d. 1955).[citation needed] The first of two children, Donaldson attended Boys and Girls High School (known at the time as Girls' High School), studying there until her junior year.[citation needed]
Careeredit
In 1949, Donaldson, then aged 21, launched her career as a nightclub singer, booking gigs throughout New York City. During her nightclub stint, Donaldson began touring with Harry Belafonte and later Lena Horne. Donaldson started her acting career in the late–1960s, first appearing in an episode of Callback! which aired on March 8, 1969, in which Barry Manilow was the music director of this show. In the 1970s, Donaldson began appearing in some Blaxploitation films. Most notably of the genre, Donaldson portrayed Gloria Roberts in 1972's Across 110th Street and Honey in 1973's Willie Dynamite.
In 1975, Donaldson began her acting career on Broadway and was most famous for portraying the loveless chorus line dancer Miss Adelaide, opposite Robert Guillaume, in an all-black revival of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls which premiered in 1976. Donaldson co-starred alongside Guillaume again in Purlie and No Place to be Somebody. Before her lengthy recurring role on "The Young and the Restless," she had played Dr. Paulina Ravelle on General Hospital regularly from 1987 to 1989, who strove to prevent her daughter, Simone, from marrying the white Dr. Tom Hardy.
Personal life and deathedit
Donaldson never married or had children. Donaldson died of cancer at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California, on November 22, 1994, at 66 years old. She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
norma, donaldson, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, citations, additional, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, apri. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Norma Donaldson news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2008 Norma C Donaldson August 18 1928 November 22 1994 was an American actress and singer Perhaps she is best known for her roles as Miss Adelaide in the 1976 revival of Guys and Dolls Lillie Belle Barber on the CBS television soap opera The Young and the Restless in which she played from 1990 until she died in 1994 Norma DonaldsonDonaldson in Willie Dynamite 1973 BornNorma C Donaldson 1928 08 18 August 18 1928Harlem New York City U S 1 DiedNovember 22 1994 1994 11 22 aged 66 Los Angeles California U S Resting placeInglewood Park Cemetery Los Angeles California NationalityAmericanEducationBoys and Girls High SchoolOccupationsActresssingerYears active1956 1994 Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life 1 2 Career 2 Personal life and death 3 Filmography 3 1 Film 3 2 Television 4 Theater 5 References 6 External linksBiography editEarly life edit Donaldson was born Norma C Donaldson in the Harlem section of New York City Her parents were Laura a housekeeper and Fredrick Donaldson b 1906 d 1955 citation needed The first of two children Donaldson attended Boys and Girls High School known at the time as Girls High School studying there until her junior year citation needed Career edit In 1949 Donaldson then aged 21 launched her career as a nightclub singer booking gigs throughout New York City During her nightclub stint Donaldson began touring with Harry Belafonte and later Lena Horne Donaldson started her acting career in the late 1960s first appearing in an episode of Callback which aired on March 8 1969 in which Barry Manilow was the music director of this show In the 1970s Donaldson began appearing in some Blaxploitation films Most notably of the genre Donaldson portrayed Gloria Roberts in 1972 s Across 110th Street and Honey in 1973 s Willie Dynamite In 1975 Donaldson began her acting career on Broadway and was most famous for portraying the loveless chorus line dancer Miss Adelaide opposite Robert Guillaume in an all black revival of Frank Loesser s Guys and Dolls which premiered in 1976 Donaldson co starred alongside Guillaume again in Purlie and No Place to be Somebody Before her lengthy recurring role on The Young and the Restless she had played Dr Paulina Ravelle on General Hospital regularly from 1987 to 1989 who strove to prevent her daughter Simone from marrying the white Dr Tom Hardy Personal life and death editDonaldson never married or had children Donaldson died of cancer at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles California on November 22 1994 at 66 years old She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles California Filmography editFilm edit Year Title Role Notes 1956 The Baby and the Battleship Dr Bryce Uncredited 1972 Across 110th Street Gloria Roberts 1973 Willie Dynamite Honey 1980 9 to 5 Betty 1983 Staying Alive Fatima 1988 The Unholy Abby 1990 House Party Mildred 1991 The Five Heartbeats Mrs Sawyer 1993 Poetic Justice Aunt May Television edit Year Title Role Notes 1975 Good Times Mrs Baker Episode Michael s Big Fall 1975 The Jeffersons Dale Parker Episode George and the Manager 1977 All in the Family Ms Watson Episode Archie Gets the Business 1978 What s Happening Mrs Miller Episode No Clothes Make the Man 1978 Watch Your Mouth Mrs Littlejohn Episode Handsomest Boy 1979 Archie Bunker s Place Ms Watson Episodes Archie s New Partner Parts 1 amp 2 The Cook 1980 Willow B Women in Prison Mrs McCallister TV film 1981 Inmates A Love Story Lila TV film 1982 CHiPs Mrs Schoonover Episode Overload 1982 Farrell for the People Mrs Grey TV film 1983 Intimate Agony Dr Bryce TV film 1987 General Hospital Dr Pauline Ravelle TV series 1989 Thirtysomething Bernice Episode No Promises 1989 Matlock Shirley Taylor Episode The Good Boy 1990 1994 The Young and the Restless Lillie Belle Barber Recurring role final appearance Theater editYear Title Role Notes 1956 The Happiest Girl in the World Martha Broadway 1956 The Baby and the Battleship Dr Bryce Broadway uncredited 1976 Guys and Dolls Miss Adelaide BroadwayReferences edit New York Times Norma DonaldsonExternal links editNorma Donaldson at IMDb A nbsp This article about an American television actor born in the 1920s is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Norma Donaldson amp oldid 1213346593, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
